Prius Prime Premium Stereo Upgrade

Thought I would share my experience:

Used a 5 channel amp - Alpine MRV - V500
JL Audio C2 - 3.5" speakers (4ohm)
Alpine s-s65 6 1/2 coaxial speakers (4ohm)
JL Audio 8" ported Micosub (4ohm)
Dynamat

The front speakers are run in parallel (this is stock) - meaning the with the Alpine 6.5s and JL 3.5's its showing a 2ohm load to the amp, not a 4ohm one. At 2ohm the Alpine MRV puts out about 60 watts RMS (At a 4ohm load amp puts out 40 watts per channel). I needed to put a bass blocker on the 3.5" JLs because they were distorting (cutoff below 2.3khz.) The JL sub is small enough to fit in the back trunk (~10.5" x 6), its receiving 150 watts.

I have the 6.5s cut off at 160hz and the sub is crossed at 80hz.

Everything sounds really clean, could be a little louder but the speakers have a low sensitivity rating. Some rap songs do bottom out, but its only at a few impactful moments in a song. R&B, Jazz, Rock - all sound great - great depth, very dynamic, a little tad on the bright side because I'm using coaxials.

All the best.

Sean

 

the 8" JL ported sub sounds great, however wasn't able to hit those low notes (like the kick drum in a rock song). So upgraded to the 10" JL ported sub and its now perfect. Upgraded to the Alpine - PDR-V75 (5 Channel Amp) - providing more power.

Cost: -
4 Alpine Speakers: $200
JL 10" Ported Microsub - $350
JL 3.5" speakers: $100
Amp - $400
Paid for Amp Installation. Did the remainder of the work myself.

 

Power wire goes thru the driver side firewall. I installed the 3.5 JL's myself, no customization needed, dropped right in. But you need to put a 600 Hz bass blocker on it, or it will distort.